NCERT Syllabus Class 8 Civics

Themes

Objectives

UNIT 1: The Constitution

This unit focuses on the Constitution through first highlighting why there is a need for laws and then showing how the Constitution is the framework that determines the making of laws in this country. Aspects of secularism, as well as economic justice, are highlighted with respect to the Constitution.

Section 1

The Role of the Constitution and the Need for Laws

• On the need for laws discussed through an example like dowry,

• Role of Constitution in determining the authority/legitimacy of the law,

• Laws and Dissent: Salt Satyagraha and a post-1947 example such as anti-liquor agitation.

Section 2

• Vision set forth in the Indian Constitution with a focus on secularism.

• On how an ideal of the Constitution translates into a law

• On how ideals of secularism got translated into fundamental rights.

• On Fundamental rights as human rights.

• On Fundamental Duties.

• On whether the fact that a law exists to secure certain rights mean that in effect these rights have been realised for all. This will be discussed with examples from current efforts of various marginalised communities to realise their rights.

To enable students to:

• develop an understanding of the rule of law and our involvement with the law

• understand the Constitution as the primary source of all our laws

• understand laws as evolving and subject to change.

• understand the vision and the values of the

Constitution

• develop an appreciation of human rights

guaranteed in the Constitution

• appreciate our continuous involvement with the constitution as a living document

UNIT 2: Parliamentary Government

In this unit the functioning of parliamentary

government and the roles and responsibilities of the various individuals involved in explained in context. In addition, the workings of the central government are explained through the steps involved in passing a new law that arose out of people’s struggles.

Section 1

• Reasons why parliamentary form chosen in India.

• Main features of composition of parliament and its role in debating a bill.

• Accountability of the government to the parliament.

• Role of President, PM and the Council of Ministers.

Section 2

Understand central government through issue of minimum wages or other struggles keeping the following in mind:

– Translation of felt need into law and the critical features of the legislation.

– The implication of law.

To enable students to:

• understand why India chose a parliamentary form of govt.

• gain a sense rationale of the essential elements of the parliamentary form of government.

• analyse the role of people’s agency in placing demands for legislation.

• understand the ways in which the government and

other groups respond to such issues.

UNIT 3: The Judiciary

This unit focuses on understanding the judiciary through tracing a case from the lower to the higher courts. It also examines the difference between civil and criminal

cases and the difference between the police and the courts as well as provide information on an FIR.

Section 1

• The structure and process followed by the judiciary:

Trace a case from lower to higher courts.

• Distinguish between civil and criminal cases.

• Indicate the rationale of the process

Section 2

Difference between the roles of the police and that of the courts.

• Role of the Public Prosecutor.

• On an FIR: filing one, on the illegality of the police not accepting an FIR and the Supreme Court’s directive on this.

To enable students to:

• understand the main elements of our judicial

structure

• appreciate the need for the processes followed

• understand what an FIR is and how to file one.

UNIT 4: Social Justice and the Marginalised

This unit focuses on issues of social justice and the marginalised. It first provides an understanding of what is meant by ‘marginalised’ groups. It then discusses in-depth the issue of untouchability and reservations.

Section 1

A brief explanation of what is meant by marginalised.

Include how various communities (SC, ST, OBC, minorities) fit in.

• Forms of social inequality – Constitutional

provisions relating to social justice.

• Effect of social inequalities on economic inequalities.

• On Reservations.

Section 2

Different forms of untouchability that continue to exist

• The law on manual scavenging with reference to existing realities in rural and urban areas.

To enable students to:

• understand what is meant by marginalised

• gain a critical understanding of social and economic injustices

• develop skills to analyse an argument from the marginalised point of view.

UNIT 5: Economic Presence of the Government

Introduction of various ways by which the government is engaged in developmental activities, especially in infrastructure and social sectors.

To enable students to:

• think about the role of government in the economic sphere

• see some links between people’s aspirations needs and the role of government.